Colombia want to make history after reaching World Cup quarterfinals

A second-half goal by Catalina Usme fired Colombia to a 1-0 win over Jamaica on Tuesday and carried the South Americans to their first Women's World Cup quarterfinal.

The captain's 51st-minute strike sent Colombian fans into delirium at a packed Melbourne Rectangular Stadium and ensured the last American team in the tournament will battle England for a place in the last four.

"We are representing the whole continent of South America," Colombia coach Nelson Abadia told reporters.

"This (result) has a very special meaning. When we qualified for the World Cup the first thing I said to my team was, 'We’re not just here to spend time, we want to make history'."

Colombia will look to make their first World Cup semifinal appearance when they take on England in the quarterfinals.

What had been a testy and physical clash up to half-time exploded into life after Usme's breakthrough, with both teams attacking furiously in a match-up of two of the tournament's underdogs.

Jamaica's 'Reggae Girlz' had chances to level the match but bowed out swinging in front of a crowd of 27,706, having reached the knockout phase for the first time in their second World Cup.

Four years after Jamaica were eliminated from their group in France with three heavy defeats, coach Lorne Donaldson was proud of the Caribbeans' progress.

His players competed while locked in a pay dispute with their national federation, and had resorted to crowdfunding in the lead-up to help cover costs.

"I feel very happy for the players that they could perform at this level without adequate games to play (before)," he said.

"I just think (Colombia) played a better game. I think technically they were just better than us.

"We made some bad mistakes. I give credit to them, they were ready to play."

Having not conceded a goal all tournament, Jamaica stifled Colombia early, often leaving their players grimacing on the turf after heavy tackles.

Colombia wunderkind Linda Caicedo was kept quiet on the left flank, and the South Americans' first decent scoring chance had to wait until a corner in the 38th minute.

It was wasted, though, with Jorelyn Carabali sending a wild volley from the edge of the area sailing over the bar.

• Colombia reach first World Cup quarterfinal with 1-0 win over Jamaica